Fishermen Strongly Oppose Marine Sand Mining Plan in Riau Islands

Opposition to the planned marine sand mining, disguised as sedimentation management, in Indonesia's Riau Islands (Kepri) is growing stronger. By the end of July, hundreds of fishermen held a demonstration to reject the plan, which they believe will impact their livelihoods. Gathering over a hundred boats, fishermen, predominantly from Karimun Regency, rallied at sea, protesting the plan. "Our presence on these boats is to reject the marine sand mining disguised as sedimentation management; we know this activity will only damage our livelihoods," shouted Liza, a female fisherman, during her oration. She pointed out that marine sand dredging benefits only a handful of people rather than improving the welfare of the Karimun community. "We mothers are the most affected," she stated. Raja Khairuddin, the Head of the Karimun Riau Islands Fishermen Care Movement (GPNKK), said that fishermen have conducted several protest actions against this sand mining plan. Similar actions have previously taken place in Meral and Tebing districts. "We have been rejecting this sedimentation plan since it emerged," Raja said. In addition to Karimun, representatives of fishermen from various locations also participated in the protest, including fishermen from Buru, Moro, Tebing, Meral Barat, and Meral districts. According to Raja, fishermen have experienced firsthand how past marine sand mining activities have had long-lasting impacts on their lives. From the 1990s to 2005, the waters of Karimun were a site for large-scale marine sand mining for export to Singapore, before President Megawati halted the activity. The impacts of that activity are still felt by fishermen today. Raja mentioned that some areas that were previously productive fishing grounds are now no longer so due to post-mining environmental damage. This damage has occurred in the waters of Moro District, Buru District, and surrounding areas. Source: Mongabay Indonesia